Erik Hurtado

PROFILE
A swift attacking player, Hurtado joined Whitecaps FC on January 17, 2013 after being selected fifth overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Prior to joining Whitecaps FC, Hurtado played college soccer with Santa Clara University and played for United Soccer League (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) side Portland Timbers U-23. Hurtado spent August through December 2015 on loan to Mjøndalen IF of Norway’s Eliteserien. In December 2016, Hurtado signed a contract extension through 2018 with options for 2019 and 2020.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2016: Hurtado tallied two goals and two assists in his 24 regular season appearances, including 12 starts. 2015: Hurtado appeared in nine regular season matches for Whitecaps FC, making one start in the 2-1 home win over rivals Portland Timbers on March 28. 2014: Hurtado made significant strides in his second MLS season, scoring five goals and three assists during his 30 regular season appearances. He also scored the team’s lone goal in their MLS Cup Playoff match with FC Dallas, a 2-1 loss on October 29. 2013: Hurtado started four of his 15 appearances in his rookie season, registering two assists in 489 minutes of play. The rookie made his MLS debut as a second-half substitute in Vancouver's season opener, replacing Daigo Kobayashi in the 76th minute of a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC. In his first road match against Houston Dynamo on March 23, Hurtado earned his first career assist, setting up Darren Mattocks for the 'Caps lone goal in a 2-1 defeat. The speedy American earned his first start on April 6 in a 1-1 draw on the road against San Jose Earthquakes. One of his shining moments in 2013 came in stoppage time of the second half against Chivas USA on September 1, earning an assist when he headed the ball across goal to Tommy Heinemann, who tied things up 2-2 in stoppage time.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE
2016: Hurtado made two regular season appearances for Whitecaps FC 2, starting and assisting in each. 2015: Hurtado made two starts in three appearances for Whitecaps FC 2 in their inaugural USL season.

CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP2016: Hurtado was one of four Whitecaps FC players to play in all four CC matches, starting two of his appearances. 2015: He played the full 90 minutes in his lone CC appearance, recording an 87-minute equalizing assist in the first leg of the semifinal series versus FC Edmonton. 2014: Hurtado scored one goal in two CC matches. 2013: Hurtado made two substitute appearances, first at home to FC Edmonton on May 1 and then against Montreal Impact on May 15.

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
2016-17: Hurtado recorded two goals and two assists in his four CCL appearances, all starts. 2015-16: Hurtado attempted one shot in his one start in CCL play on August 5, a 1-1 draw versus Seattle Sounders FC.

NORWAY
2015: Hurtado started six of his 11 appearances for Mjøndalen IF in Eliteserien, scoring one goal. He also started his side’s only match in the Norwegian Football Cup.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RESERVES
2013: In Reserves play, Hurtado found the back of the net twice: first on March 16, in a 3-0 victory over the University of Victoria, and again on April 14 versus Real Salt Lake Reserves.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
2012: Hurtado played his second season with Portland Timbers U-23 in 2012. The attacking player started eight of his 10 regular season appearances, scoring six goals and recording one assist. 2011: In his debut season with Portland Timbers U-23, Hurtado appeared in eight matches and netted eight goals.

COLLEGE
2012: In his fourth season at Santa Clara, Hurtado started all 19 matches he appeared in and scored 15 goals. He was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year as a result of his efforts. 2011: Hurtado had a successful third season with the Broncos in 2011. He started all 20 matches he appeared in, while registering six goals and seven assists. He was also named to the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I NSCAA All Far-West Region Second Team. 2010: In his sophomore season, Hurtado registered five goals and four assists in 18 matches. As a result, he was named to the All-WCC First Team. 2009: As a freshman, Hurtado scored seven goals in 19 matches and was named to the All-WCC Second Team.

INTERNATIONAL
Hurtado was a member of the United States U-18 men’s national team and played in a pair of friendlies with the squad in South America.

HIGH SCHOOL
A 2009 graduate of Westview High School in Beaverton, Oregon, Hurtado led the Wildcats to two straight league championships in 2007 and 2008 and the state finals in 2008. For his efforts, he was named Oregon Class 6A and Metro League Player of the Year and first-team all-state in 2007 and 2008, as well as a first-team All-American in 2008 by ESPN RISE. On the club side, Hurtado played with the Westside Metros, winning the 2007 and 2008 state championships and were regional finalists in 2007 and regional semi-finalists in 2008. Hurtado was the team's leading goalscorer in both seasons.

PERSONAL
Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia to parents Geovanni and Nicole Hurtado, Hurtado has two younger siblings, Kohl and Morgan, who both play soccer. In his collegiate studies, the former Santa Clara Broncos player majored in Philosophy.

INTERESTING FACTS
He lists his mother Nicole as one of his role models for instilling selflessness, humility, and modesty. On game days, Hurtado listens to Al Pacino’s speech in Pieces by Inches in the locker room before the coaches’ talk. When not focusing on soccer, Hurtado likes to rap. His favorite rap artist is Lil Wayne. The forward’s favorite television show to watch is Two and a Half Men. His favorite restaurant is an underground Chinese restaurant called Kings Chop in San Jose.